When pressed and asked if he's 'considered' seeking the nomination from the Sault Ste. Marie Liberal Association, he adds “I haven't been asked to run so I'm not actively considering it. If I'm asked, I will consider it, but in the meantime I will stay focused at the job at hand.”

Krmpotich, a steelworker union employee, said he has been approached to run.

“I'm thinking about it but that's about all I can say right now,” the second term councillors said.

Late last year, Ward 6 Coun. Ross Romano was chosen as the provincial Conservative candidate to run in the next election after rumours had emerged that David Orazietti was getting ready to resign his seat.

Similar comments were made Monday by Romano who said he is committed to his ward until an official byelection is called by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Romano and Shoemaker sit beside each other at the council table.

Shoemaker joked that Romano asked him Monday night as well whether he was going to run against him. Krmpotich sits across the council chambers from them.

Orazietti stepped down as Minister of Correctional Services in mid December and resigned his seat as the city's elected provincial member effective Dec. 31 citing the need to step down to spend more time with his family.

It was announced Monday that he has been chosen as one of several new deans at Sault College.